Bathroom diaper shower



March 19, 1963 A. KONRAD 3,081,613

BATHROOM DIAPER SHOWER Filed June 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,3 2 1 X F r f g-47 Q H '1 i n I l 9 l {I l 6 25 6 I /5 lb l7 IN VEN TOR 321% Pm] WM March 19, 1963 A. KONRAD BATHROOM DIAPER SHOWER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTR AL fXA/VflfE Kaye/10 Filed June 8. 1962 W A' raa/ers.

United States Patent 3,981,613 BATHROGM DIAPER SHOWER Alexander Konrad, Parma, Ohio, assignor of twenty percent each to Lucille L. Hahn, Parana Heights, Ohio; Margaret J. Konrad, Parana, Gino; Marsha B. Felrler, Parma, Ohio; and Warren A. Konrad, Parma, Ohio Filed June 8, 1962, Ser. No. 201,063 4 Claims. (Cl. 68-4181) This invention relates to a bathroom diaper shower and has as its primary object the provision of a permanent or semi-permanent bathroom fixture adapted to be positioned between or adjacent to the washbasin and the toilet bowl, the fixture including a receptacle for the reception of diapers, and having as its primary function the removal of fecal matter from soiled diapers and flushing the same directly into the toilet.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein a soiled diaper may be positioned over a rotatable frame inter-iorly of the receptacle, and thoroughly cleansed with soap or detergent to remove all fecal matter therefrom, such matter being flushed directly into the toilet bowl, without the necessity of handling the soiled diaper to any material extent.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device which may be readily installed and removed with a minimum of effort and difiiculty, and which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, install, and utilize.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the fixture of the instant invention showing the same in position between the conventional washbasin and toilet bowl of a bathroom.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIGURE 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIGURE 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIGURE 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational View taken substantially along the line 66 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary end elevational view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, the apparatus of the instant invention is generally indicated at 10, and comprises a base 11 of any desired standard configuration, upon which is fitted a receptacle, generally indicated at 12, and to be more fully described hereinafter, provided with a lid or cover generally indicated at 13. A preferred location for the device is indicated in FIGURE 1 between the washbasin, generally indicated at 14, of conventional type usually found in bathrooms, and the toilet generally indicated at 15.

The toilet is provided with the usual bowl 16, rim 17, seat 18, and lid or cover 19, the latter being hinged in the conventional manner at the rear of the toilet bowl. Washbasin 14 is also provided with a conventional outlet 20, hot and cold faucets 21 and 22, which are supplied through the usual lines 23 and 24. The hot water line 23 of basin 14 is provided with T-fitting 25- from which a pipe 26 provided with a push button valve 27, of conventional design, leads into the receptacle 12, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

Base 11 is also pnovided with an outlet supporting portion 27, which is adapted for the reception of a pipe 28-, the latter having a curved flattened end 29, as best shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, which normally fits between the rim 17 of toilet bowl 16, and the seat 18, being secured in position by a resilient spring clip 30, which clamps over the rim 17.

Referring now to fixture 10 in detail, and having particular reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be seen that the base 11 includes a hollow pylon 31, a fiat top surface 32 having an offset flange 33 and a bead 34 extending about the periphery thereof. A central opening 33 provides for the admission of the curved threaded end 34' of water inlet pipe 26.

Surface 32 also has an elongated discharge opening 35 which communicates with the outlet pipe 28.

A threaded plug 36 has an interiorly threaded opening 37 for the reception of the threaded end 34' of inlet pipe 26, and is integrally secured to a gasket 38 which seats fixedly in a recess 39 in the top 32 of base 11. External threads 40 on plug 36 accommodate the correspondingly threaded lower end 41 of a tubular aluminum member 42 which extends substantially the full height of receptacle 12. It is to be noted that receptacle 12 is substantially cylindrical, and has its bottom seated on the flange or shoulder 33 in fixed relation, suitable sealing gaskets 43 serving to seal receptacle 12 in fluid tight relation to base or pedestal 1111. Tube 42 is crimped as at 44 immediately above opening 37, to engage and clampingly hold a nylon bushing 45 having inclined water jet openings 46 extending therethrough at spaced intervals offset from the center thereof. A shaft 47 provided with a locking ring 48 at its lower end is journalled in a central opening 49 in bushing or partition 45.

The other end of shaft 47 extends through and is journalled in a central opening 50 in a top bushing 51, also of nylon, which is provided with radially [offset water outlets 52, tube 42 being crirnped as at 53 to hold top bearing 51 in position.

The external surface of tubular member 4-2 is provided with one, two, or more rows of openings or apertures 54, permitting the outflow of fiuid introduced from opening 37 into tubular member 42, into receptacle 12, openings 52 also serving the same purpose, it being pointed out that the total area of all the outlet openings is somewhat less than the total area of inlet opening 37 so that a mild head of pressure is maintained at all times interiorly of the device.

The top of shaft 47 above bearing 51 is threaded as at 60 and carries an internally threaded cap 61 from which extend arcuate arms having substantially horizontal portions 62 which extend outwardly of tubular member 42 and depending inclined extremities 63-, over which a diaper is adapted to be draped.

Cover 13 is provided with a marginal shoulder 64 together with a sealing bushing or gasket 64' which is adapted to seat on the top of a sidewall of receptacle 12. The top 13 is also recessed as at 65 and in the recess is positioned a handle 66 to facilitate removal of the top when desired, although during use and operation of the device the top seats snugly within the annular rim of the receptacle 12.

Means are provided for rotating shaft 47, and take the form of fins or vanes 67, which are mounted on pins 68 extending radially from shaft 47 immediately above the jet openings 46. Fins or vanes 67 are substantially cupshaped, and are inclined at an angle relative to the jet openings 46 in such manner that water emanating from the openings 46 will strike vupon the fins and cause the shaft 47 to rotate. The rotation need not be rapid, and the pressure need not be high, since a slow shower action is all that is necessary.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the inner side of receptacle 12 is corrugated as at 12a. As the lower parts of the diaper touch the corrugated sides in the act of rotating, it will cause the diaper to swirl in a horizontal fashion providing more action while being showered.

From the foregoing the use and operation of the device should now be readily understandable. A diaper D is draped over the arms 63, it being noted that the space 69 between the top bushing 51 and the top of tubular member 42 may previously be filled with soap powder or detergent or other similar material. Push button valve 27 is then actuated, and water entering through the inlet 26 passes under slight pressure through the openings 46, striking the vanes 67 and causing shaft 47 to rotate. At the same time water flows outwardly through the openings 54 in the side walls of tube 42 and through the openings 52 in top bearing 51, thoroughly permeating the diaper, and partially filling receptacle 12, overflow water draining out through the opening 35 and the pipe 28 into the toilet bowl 16, which may be flushed periodically in the usual manner. After a suflicient length of time of operation, water may be cut off from the inlet 26, and the diaper removed for further washing as necessary, or allowed to remain in receptacle 12 and drained if desired.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved bathroom diaper shower or diaper cleansing device which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and material convenience.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A diaper cleansing device comprising a base adapted to be positioned between the washbasin and the toilet in a bathroom, a receptacle mounted on said base, a removable cover for said receptacle, a central tubular member having a spiral row of openings therein fixed to the bottom of said receptacle, a hot water inlet into the bottom of said tubular member from the hot water line of the washbasin, a partition Within said tubular member having openings therethrough above said inlet, a top closure plate for said tubular member having openings therein to the interior of the latter, a shaft journalled for rotation in said partition and said closure plate, diaper supporting arms carried by said shaft, means defining an outlet in the bottom of said receptacle outside of said tubular member, and a fluid discharge conduit extending from said outlet to the toilet.

2. A diaper cleansing device comprising a base adapted to be positioned between the washbasin and the toilet in a bathroom, a receptacle mounted on said base, a removable cover for said receptacle, a central tubular member having a spiral row of openings therein fixed to the bottom of said receptacle, a hot water inlet into the bottom of said tubular member from the hot water line of the washbasin, a partition within said tubular member having openings therethrough in said tubular member above said inlet, a top closure plate for said tubular member having openings therein to the interior of the latter, a shaft journalled for rotation in said partition and said closure plate, diaper supporting arms carried by said shaft, means defining an outlet in the bottom of said receptacle outside of said tubular member, a fluid discharge conduit extending from said outlet to the toilet, said discharge conduit having a flattened discharge end, adapted to be positioned on the rim of the toilet bowl beneath the seat, and a spring clip for securing said discharge end to the rim of the toilet bowl.

3. A diaper cleansing device comprising a base adapted to be positioned between the washbasin and the toilet in a bathroom, a receptacle mounted on said base, a removable cover for said receptacle, a central tubular member having a spiral row of openings therein fixed to the bottom of said receptacle, a hot water inlet into the bottom of said tubular member from the hot water line of the washbasin, a partition within said tubular member having openings therethrough above said inlet, a top closure plate for said tubular member having openings therein to the interior of the latter, a shaft journalled for rotation in said partition and said closure plate, diaper supporting arms carried by said shaft, means defining an outlet in the bottom of said receptacle outside of said tubular member, a fluid discharge conduit extending from said outlet to the toilet, said discharge conduit having a flattened discharge end adapted to be positioned on the rim of the toilet bowl beneath the seat, a spring clip for securing said discharge end to the rim of the toilet bowl, and means for rotating said shaft and hence said diaper supporting arms.

4. A diaper cleansing device comprising a base adapted to be positioned between the washbasin and the toilet in a bathroom, a receptacle mounted on said base, a removable cover for said receptacle, a central tubular member having a spiral row of openings therein fixed to the bottom of said receptacle, a hot water inlet into the bottom of said tubular member from. the hot water line of the washbasin, a partition within said tubular member having openings therethrough above said inlet, a top closure plate for said tubular member having openings therein to the interior of the latter, a shaft journalled for rotation in said partition and said closure plate, diaper supporting arms carried by said shaft, means defining an outlet in the bottom of said receptacle outside of said tubular member, a fluid discharge conduit extending from said outlet to the toilet, said discharge conduit having a flattened discharge end adapted to be positioned on the rim of the toilet bowl beneath the seat, a spring clip for securing said discharge end to the rim of the toilet bowl, and means for rotating said shaft and hence said diaper supporting arms, said last-mentioned means comprising a plurality 'of radially disposed inclined cup-shaped fins secured to the shaft directly above the openings in said partition whereby water from said inlet impinges on said fins to rotate said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A DIAPER CLEANSING DEVICE COMPRISING A BASE ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE WASHBASIN AND THE TOILET IN A BATHROOM, A RECEPTACLE MOUNTED ON SAID BASE, A REMOVABLE COVER FOR SAID RECEPTACLE, A CENTRAL TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING A SPIRAL ROW OF OPENINGS THEREIN FIXED TO THE BOTTOM OF SAID RECEPTACLE, A HOT WATER INLET INTO THE BOTTOM OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER FROM THE HOT WATER LINE OF THE WASHBASIN, A PARTITION WITHIN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING OPENINGS THERETHROUGH ABOVE SAID INLET, A TOP CLOSURE PLATE FOR SAID TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING OPENINGS THEREIN TO THE INTERIOR OF THE LATTER, A SHAFT JOURNALLED FOR ROTATION IN SAID PARTITION AND SAID CLOSURE PLATE, DIAPER SUPPORTING ARMS CARRIED BY SAID SHAFT, MEANS DEFINING AN OUTLET IN THE BOTTOM OF SAID RECEPTACLE OUTSIDE OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, 